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Barmecidal

adjective
Bar·​me·​cid·​al | \ ˌbär-mə-ˈsī-dᵊl How to pronounce Barmecidal (audio) \
variants: or Barmecide \ ˈbär-​mə-​ˌsīd How to pronounce Barmecide (audio) \

Definition of Barmecidal

: providing only the illusion of abundance a Barmecidal feast

Did You Know?

Barmecide is the name of a family of princes in a tale from The Thousand and One Nights (also known as The Arabian Nights' Entertainment). One prince in the family torments a beggar by inviting him to a fabulous feast, at which all the dishes are imaginary. The poor man plays along with his malicious host, pretending to get drunk on the imaginary wine; he then gets even by knocking down the patronizing royal.

First Known Use of Barmecidal

1823, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for Barmecidal

Barmecide, a wealthy Persian, who, in a tale of The Arabian Nights' Entertainments, invited a beggar to a feast of imaginary food

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WORD OF THE DAY

desultory

play

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